The Master's Sun is Spooky Fun

Occasionally a drama manages to be so spectacular that we watch it again. Boys Over Flowers is one that many fans have probably seen more than once for a variety of reasons, two of which can be summarized as Lee Minho and Kim Hyun-joong. Occasionally it has personal meaning — Operation Proposal is the one that inspired my husband to finally propose. For one reason or another, dramas that we repeat have managed to capture our imagination and our hearts. It is therefore telling that only halfway through the show, I knew that, for me, The Master’s Sun would be one such drama. And every episode, every few minutes, I am reminded of why. It is a triumphant and sublime symphony of splendid writing, impeccable acting, stellar direction, and excellent editing.

Of course, probably no one is terribly surprised that writers Hong Jeong-eun and Hong Mi-ran, more recognizably known as the Hong Sisters, have managed to pull off another big hit, with AGB Nielson finding that the September 5th episode reached at 17.3% rating. Pairing them with director Jin Hyeok of City Hunter fame was essentially a stroke of genius on the part of airing network SBS.

The Master’s Sun tells the story of a poor woman who is haunted by the ghosts she can see and the problems they want her to fix and a rich man who is haunted by a traumatic past. Early on, it may have reminded some viewers of the American television show The Ghost Whisperer, and it is clearly in competition with the currently airing Who Are You.

But anything beyond superficial comparisons to either is essentially an insult to The Master’s Sun. The Ghost Whisperer and Who Are You are both procedurals woven into a longer arc, and both are of mediocre quality. The ghosts aren’t very scary, the stories are full of tropes, and the acting leaves a lot to be desired. At least once during nearly every minute of every episode of Who Are You, I think to myself, “This is a terrible show.” Our only consolation may be that Taecyeon’s character looks almost as miserable as we feel watching his acting, so at least we’re not alone.

By comparison, The Master’s Sun focuses much more strongly on the bigger arc of the story, with smaller procedurals built into it. The Hong Sisters are creative in their vision, and the procedurals can be quite different from the usual. Now I know that I can enjoy a story about a ghost dog that gets help for his master without feeling like I am watching children’s television. There’s a ghost kitty too.

Meanwhile, the cast that brings the Hong-Hyeok vision to life is brilliant. There is not one actor in this show that isn’t great at their job. Well, maybe one — the lead character’s sister, and the writers may have just been a bit lazy with her character. Otherwise, from starring to supporting role, each actor is a fine choice with a great sense of comedic timing.

While the entire cast shines brightly together, So Ji-sub stands out in the lead male role of Joo Joong-won. The Hong Sisters could write perfect line after perfect line for him, but it wouldn’t matter much if he couldn’t pull them off. Luckily for us, and really, we are lucky, So turns out to be a talented comedian and this production is the ideal vehicle for his skills. I wasn’t really expecting this, but not only does he deliver the lines with perfect timing, he’s also learned to use small changes in his facial expressions to great effect. Put the timing and the expressions together, and So’s Joong-won becomes hilarious and very loveable. But underneath this comedy of love and horrors is a tragic emotional narrative, and part of what makes So’s comedy so powerful is that he never allows us to forget the pain beneath his mask, while allowing us to laugh at his silly attempts to avoid human emotion.

Seasoned film star Gong Hyo-jin plays Tae Gong-shil, the lady that Joong-won would like to keep by his side. Gong’s performance in this role is essential — without her, So Ji-sub’s performance simply wouldn’t work. Independent of her love interest, Gong-shil is an interestingly drawn character. She’s tortured by the ghosts who won’t let her sleep because they are always asking her to do stuff, yet she remains deeply empathetic, always trying to resolve their problems so they can head off to heaven in peace. Gong-shil must also live with the threat of possession, and it is this part of the role that becomes a true test of Gong’s talents. She manages this part of her role well and is generally very capable of capturing the audience’s sympathy and affection.

Perhaps the biggest complaint to be made about this show is that So Ji-sub gets too much of the good stuff and Gong Hyo-jin is no chance to shine just as brightly. That said, Gong-shil is a success in a perhaps more subtle way. So far, the trajectory of the show has been shaped by having Joong-won adjust to the way she sees the world, not the other way around. While superficially this is not unusual, given the extreme difference between Gong-shil and other human beings, it’s quite an adjustment. In that sense Gong-shil and her story become an argument for staying true to one’s own truth, no matter how crazy it might seem to others.

The supporting cast is both sizable and wonderful. Stand out talents include Kim Yoo-ri as the feisty Tae Yi-ryung, a self-involved starlet who is Gong-shil’s former classmate. After her rather one dimensional role in Cheongdamdong Alice, it’s nice to see Kim have an opportunity to flex her acting muscles. Meanwhile, Lee Jae-won (no, not the hottie from H.O.T.) is a hilarious pleasure as security guard and resident gossip, Lee Han-joo. If he’s in a scene, you’ll be chuckling or laughing out loud, guaranteed. These are just two examples; there are many others.

Usually when a drama ends, that’s it for the viewer. We don’t watch them again; we know what happens and one time is enough. Some, like Empire of Gold, (or Sword and the Flower for the five people who, like me, watched to the end) are incredibly powerful, but any reasonable person is glad when the pain is over. The Master’s Sun will not be remembered like that. It is delightful both in its humor and its optimism. While it unpacks the ways that deeply painful experiences can misshape us, it also offers a vision of how a cold heart can be warmed again.

Even the take on ghosts and ultimately death is optimistic. At the start of the show the images are scary and sometimes shocking. For example, there is one ghost who lives in the mall that Joong-won owns, and he hits the top of a litter bin over and over in an initially jarring and frightening way. Later, he helps Joong-won get a message to Gong-shil when he can’t be around to do it himself. This reflects the general ethos of the drama: we are all one big family, even when we don’t want to recognize it, even when we’re dead.

Agree with what you wrote. Master’s Sun is strangely addicting to me. Definitely helping with my I Hear Your Voice withdrawals.
(By the way, agree wholeheartedly about Taecyeon’s acting in Who Are You… he ain’t good. Lol.)

Camille

Really agree with this article! I think it’s a shame not to include Seo In Guk’s character though. He clearly is the second lead and a very likeable one at that. I love the way he interacts withTae Yi Ryung and I think he’s essential to the plot. He also has a big impact on Gong Sil. But in the end I’m glad the writer likes the drama and I agree with everything she said =)

mrshobbes

I was a bit surprised to not see any mention of Seo In Guk as well. I’m just really happy he’s not overreacting like he did in Reply 1997. Well, the role is also vastly different from then. LOVE his hair and fine figure in suits here!

I have to say I’m also really liking Kim Yoo-ri as Tae Yi-ryung, she does bratty and cute really well. I watched a little bit of their presscon and was so tickled at how she seems very soft-spoken and reserved, so different from her character!

Camille

I actually liked him in Answmer me 1997 too~ Might have been more about the writing than the acting but still. Thing is Seo In Guk has a face I really like. He just looks… nice. When I see him, I just like him. There’s just something very likeable abou him. But anyway, back to Master’s Sun.

I also really enjoy Tae Yi ryung. I didn’t think I would since she didn’t start that great and it’s a Hong sisters dramas -I see in ohter comments you haven’t seen other Hong sisters dramas but they have a history of creating really bitchy female 2nd lead… though I did like the “You’re beautiful” one- but she won me over in the end and I’m now actually shipping her with Seo In Guk. Kim Yoo Ri is doing great!

Laverne_SB

Sahar, your enthusiasm is so evident in this piece haha. I must be the only one who is not enamored by this drama and especially not by Seo Ji-sub.

Sahar_Ko

Ooh, tell me more about what you don’t like! All of my friends who are watching it are crazy about it, so I haven’t heard this perspective. Anyway, believe me, this was more fun to read than all of my terrible thoughts about “Who Are You?” hahahaha

Laverne_SB

Haha well I definitely think “Master’s Sun” is better than “Who Are You?” — I gave up on that after a few episodes.
But hmm what do I not like? I don’t like Seo Ji-sub’s acting. He’s made me laugh, I’ll give him that, but I feel like his face is too wooden. His serious face and his laughing/joking face look the same to me. I also think it’s a little ridiculous how Gong-shil is always freaking out about ghosts. I think it’s warranted for the scary ghosts (and the show has abandoned that of late) but even the “normal-looking” ghosts make her react over the top and I guess I figured that she’d be over that by now.

I do think this is a good drama and Gong Hyo-jin’s acting is fantastic but it doesn’t captivate me. But my best friend is LOVING this drama and so is everyone else so I think it’s just not my style.

bigmamat

I agree. So Ji-sub is not a comedic actor. Actually he isn’t much of an actor at all really. I love him but not for his acting. He’s just so damned beautiful to look at I suffer though most everything he does. It almost looks like the Hong sisters wrote this drama just for him so he would have an opportunity to do a comedy. Its seems his frozen faced delivery is exactly what is called for with this role. That being, said I am also loving the show. Seo In Guk is adorable. Gong Hyo Jin does these kinds of roles absolutely effortlessly, there is a easy kind of chemistry between her and Ji Sub. I just wish everyone would stop comparing this show to The Greatest Love and to Cha Seung Won. I don’t see the similarity at all. Cha Seung Won is a darling comedic actor and can pull off any funny role you throw at him. His face actually moves.

illerz

You know for some reason it really bugs me. Really it does when people say she should be use to it by now. I live with a roommate and she is alive and always present. I know she’s there. I even expect to see her. But when something that makes no noise pop out at you, you freak out. It’s a normal natural reaction. I can’t imagine how I would freak out at seeing ghosts. I mean they can change their faces at any point and freak you out. They can touch her and apparently jump into her when she’s not on guard. That means she can NEVER truly relax. I don’t think you realize what that does to someone and how particularly jumpy that can make an individual. Let’s not forget how creepy they can choooose to look. And even their normal faces FREAK me out. And I don’t think that would ever change. It’s not like she would see the same ghost over and over again. So when I see people saying oh why is she jumping over and over again I get so annoyed. Like they would do better in her situation, and they MIGHT even, but it doesn’t make her reaction over the top for a normal or even abnormal person. You are judging her handling a situation you have yourself have never had to deal with.And saying it’s ridiculous is ridiculous. They had been scaring the heck out of her since her accident and only recently has she been finding them less so with the help of her shelter. Again I think I would have done worse.

I, however, agree about his acting being wooden. But slowly realized that that’s what the character was suppose to be like. Really wooden and a general pain in the butt. He’s trying desperately to not acknowledge he has feelings which can allow for some wooden stiffness to a person. At least that’s how I interpreted it as the story went on. He grew on me. Honestly I didn’t think he would. I thought I would just suffer through it and not enjoy moments with him on screen. But then every time he softens, I get the attraction. Anyway. :) Maybe the next hong drama will appeal to you.

Laverne_SB

You’re right. That was very ableist of me. I didn’t consider that aspect of it and of course it’s easy to judge when we’re not in that position. Thank you for pointing this out.

I do agree that his character is supposed to be wooden and he fits this character but I still don’t find his acting appealing.

illerz

I appreciate you admitting that, its been annoying me since the drama began, people’s attitude to her reactions.

And I feel you about his acting. It’s his looks for me. I can’t see why people find him SO attractive. I don’t but his acting however has grown on me. :

mrshobbes

I love this drama–it’s fun and makes me laugh and shriek in surprise. I was hesitant to get into it as I’m a ‘fraidy cat, so I’m happy that of late the ghosts don’t get their creepy freakish CG makeup. I have to agree with Laverne_SB in that at first, I couldn’t get into So Ji-Sub’s acting/character. Besides the woodenness, I thought he was a smidge too cruel/heartless. Eventually I did warm up to him, largely in part because of his reactions to Gong Hyo-jin’s character.

But of late, it’s really transitioned into love, because honestly, in-love Joo-won is just ridiculously awkward and adorable. (See “updated” hand gesture from him and his conversation with the ghost on the bench at Ep 11)

I love Gong Hyo-jin’s Tae Gong Shil as well, though I really didn’t like certain aspects of her character in earlier episodes (getting her hair pulled by Joo-won, etc). I understand how she was in a different head space that time; I just didn’t really like it.

This is my first Hong sisters drama, so I’ve been reading comments about how this or that is “classic Hong sisters,” and not really understanding it.

Naor_HW

My first Hong sisters drama too, but I think now I’m going to have to check out their earlier ones.

Streby

I’m officially in love, I haven’t shipped a couple so hard in a long time….

BishieAddict

So I’m not the only one who questions the existence of the sister.
This is a cute drama. It redeems the Hong sisters from “Big”. I like how the ghosts are creepy and the story was warmth. It’s very fun and I enjoy each episode. I don’t mind episodic shows, but I also enjoy the overall arch of the story. It is very well done. The lead’s character reminds me a bit of Dokko Jin from “the Greatest Love” – just the way he reacts. Still I find it refreshing. I did try one episode of “Who Are You” while I was waiting between episodes of Master’s Sun. It just didn’t compare.

Mari

Great read in the midst of the very painful wait to next Wed/Thur. A wait which is causing a serious risk of over-watching episodes 1-12.

That being said, for the most part, I adore Hong Sister dramas………until the ending episodes. Sigh. They have a nasty habit of time lapsing (Delightful Girl, My Girl, Big, Gumiho) and I really hate time lapses. Although, if they do go down that route this time, they hopefully will keep up with this drama’s continual circumvention of expectations.

Not sure how I would feel about the extension SBS and the production team are tossing up at the moment.